Method and apparatus for preventing damage due to media faults in discs spinning at high speeds

ABSTRACT

A system that prevents fragments of a disc from escaping from a drive. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises a drive and a fragment barricade affixed within the drive. The fragment barricade is positioned within the drive so as to prevent fragments of the disc from escaping from the drive.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention derives priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/213,735, titled “Method and Apparatus for Preventing Damage Due to Media Faults in Discs Spinning at High Speeds,” filed Jun. 22, 2000; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/887,878, filed Jun. 21, 2001; which are incorporated herein in their entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Inferior quality optical media, such as CD-ROM discs or other discs, have been found to be susceptible to hairline cracks located toward the inner diameter. Under high rotation speeds, inferior media or media with hairline cracks can fracture after some time.

For example, referring to FIG. 1, a CD-ROM disc 1 will have hairline cracks 2 if used under wear-and-tear conditions for some time. Such hairline cracks may also often be found on those discs manufactured by an unlicensed manufacturer. Furthermore, referring to FIG. 2, the firmness of the locking feature 10 found on the cases 12 for CD-ROM discs prohibits convenient removal of the discs. When a user pulls a disc out of a case, the disc is forced against the locking feature. This causes the disc to bend and gives rise to hairline cracks 2 at the inner diameter 3 of the disc. Furthermore, these hairline cracks can continue to propagate as playing continues, eventually resulting in fracture of the disc.

Referring to FIG. 3, a drive 20 is shown with the tray 22 and tray cover (shutter) 24 in an open position. When a disc within the drive is spinning at high speeds (e.g., in excess of 8000 r.p.m.) and fractures, the front plastic enclosure 26 typically seen on drives is often insufficient to prevent disc fragments from flying out. This is because the front plastic enclosure simply is not as strong as the metal top enclosure 28. Consequently, these projectiles pose a considerable danger to the user and any people proximate the drive. Furthermore, the tray can be displaced outwardly from the assembly and the tray cover can become dislodged and cracked.

Attempts to lock the tray 22 in a closed position have proven to be inadequate because heavy impact forces can still open the tray. Furthermore, attempts to redesign the plastic tray cover 24 by creating thicker sections and strengthening features have failed because the tray can still be forced outwardly by high impact forces. Moreover, since sharp projectiles can penetrate the front plastic enclosure, the utilization of a stronger material has been employed. Nevertheless, it is possible that fragments can get caught between the front plastic enclosure and the metal top enclosure 28.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a system is provided that prevents fragments of a disc from escaping from a drive. The system comprises a drive and a fragment barricade affixed within the drive. The fragment barricade is positioned within the drive so as to prevent fragments of a disc from escaping from the drive.

According to another aspect of the invention, a fragment barricade is provided that comprises an elongate member, wherein the fragment barricade is positionable within a drive so as to prevent fragments of a disc from escaping from the drive.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided of preventing fragments of a disc from escaping from a drive. The method comprises providing a drive and a fragment barricade. The fragment barricade is affixed within the drive. The fragment barricade is positioned within the drive so as to prevent fragments of a disc from escaping from the drive.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent in view of the following detailed description and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disc;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a disc case containing a disc;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a drive;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a drive of the present invention in unassembled relation;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a fragment barricade of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the fragment barricade of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram depicting the fragment barricade of FIG. 5 affixed within a drive; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of a drive with the fragment barricade of FIG. 5 affixed therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the exemplary drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like or corresponding elements among the figures, the present invention includes a system that prevents fragments of a disc from escaping from a drive. As mentioned previously, inferior quality optical media, such as CD-ROM discs or other discs, are often prone to hairline cracks located toward the inner diameter. The discs can fracture after some time under high rotation speeds. The front panel and shutter of an optical drive are not designed to protect from fractured flying media; rather, they are designed for decoration and completeness of the drive. Therefore, it would be desirable to find a way to prevent damage both to the disc drive and to the user.

Referring to FIGS. 4-8, a system is depicted that prevents fragments of a disc from escaping from a drive. The system includes a drive 20, which may be any suitable drive, including drives of the prior art.

Turning to FIG. 4, in one embodiment according to the present invention, the drive 20 includes a bottom enclosure 30. The bottom enclosure can be made of sheet metal or other suitable materials. A PC board 32 sits within the bottom enclosure. A chassis 34 is positioned on top of the PC board. The chassis can be formed from plastic or another suitable material.

An assembly 36 is affixed within the chassis 34. The assembly can move between a first position 38A and a second position 38B. A laser pick-up module 40 is slidably disposed within the chassis. The laser pick-up module can slide between a first position 42A and a second position 42B within the chassis.

A spindle motor 44 is rotatably mounted on the assembly 36. A spindle 46 is affixed to the spindle motor and rotates therewith. The spindle can come into apposition with a compact disc 1.

A tray 22 is attached to a tray cover (shutter) 24, both of which may be made of plastic or another suitable material. The tray has an open position and a closed position and can slide in and out of the front plastic enclosure 26. A top enclosure 28, which can be made of metal or another suitable material, is attached to the bottom enclosure 30 and encases the internal elements of the drive.

A spinning disc 48, which can be made of plastic or another suitable material, is rotatably mounted within the top enclosure 28. The spinning disc 48 is shown as detached from the top enclosure in FIG. 4 to illustrate how the disc 1 is held between the spinning disc 48 and the spindle 46. Furthermore, the tray 22 is actually located below the disc 1 to support the disc 1; however, the tray is drawn above the disc 1 in FIG. 4 for clarity of illustration. The tray includes an opening therein in order that the spindle 46 and the laser pick-up module 40 can access the disc 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a fragment barricade 100 is fixedly mounted within the top enclosure 28 of the drive 20. Only a the top enclosure of the drive is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 for clarity of illustration. The fragment barricade can be formed from a hard material, such as a metal. The fragment barricade can also be formed from a flexible material. The fragment barricade can also be formed of materials such as a thick rubber sponge or a plastic material. It is contemplated that the fragment barricade can be made of any material or combination of materials sufficient to stop flying projectiles.

In keeping with the invention, the fragment barricade 100 is positioned within the drive 20 so as to prevent fragments of a disc from escaping from the drive. In one embodiment, the fragment barricade is an elongate member. However, it is envisioned that the fragment barricade may be of varying shapes.

In one embodiment, the fragment barricade 100 includes one or more side latches, or attachment elements 102. The attachment elements can include apertures 104 to facilitate attachment of the fragment barricade to the drive 20, such as by metal flanges or other elements. The attachment elements further provide added strength and resiliency to the fragment barricade.

The fragment barricade 100 further includes a plate 106 having apertures 108. The apertures 108 can receive self-tapping screws, or other elements, therethrough to facilitate attachment of the fragment barricade to the drive 20.

The fragment barricade 100 can be manufactured using conventional methods. For example, the fragment barricade can be stamped out from a metal sheet and formed into shape by a tool or machine. In one embodiment, the fragment barricade can be mounted within the drive 20 on the front underside of the top enclosure proximate where a disc rotates. However, it is envisioned that the fragment barricade can be mounted elsewhere as well.

In operation, a disc 1 is placed within the tray 22 while the tray is in an open position. The tray is then closed by way of a switch or other actuating mechanism. The assembly 36 then moves into its second position 38B. This action causes the spindle 46 to come into apposition with the disc 1 by way of an opening in the tray. Thus, the spindle lifts the disc 1 and clamps the disc 1 against the spinning disc 48. The spindle motor 44 rotates the spindle 46, which in turn rotates the disc 1. The spinning disc 48 thus rotates with the disc 1. The laser pick-up module 40 slides back and forth with respect to the assembly while the disc 1 is spinning, and is thus able to access and read any portion of the disc 1.

As described supra, the disc 1 may fracture over time. If it were not for the fragment barricade 100, fragments of the disc 1 could strike against the inside of the plastic front enclosure 26 at a high velocity and either pierce the front enclosure or open the tray 22 and shutter 24. This could damage the drive 20 and people in the vicinity of the drive. The fragment barricade of the present invention serves to stop any fragments of the disc I from doing damage to the drive or others. Furthermore, the fragment barricade is inexpensive and easy to manufacture, and can be mounted within other types of media players.

The invention has now been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Alternatives and substitutions will now be apparent to persons of skill in the art. For example, the fragment barricade can be used with various other types of drives, such as drives that utilize media other than CD-ROM discs 1 or drives that do not have trays 22. Accordingly, it is not intended to limit the invention except as provided by the appended claims. 

1-3. (canceled)
 4. A disc drive at least to read a disc, the drive comprising: a substantially planar and rectangular front side including an opening through which the disc is displaceable; and a fragment barricade mounted within the disk drive and including an elongate member positionable proximate the front side so as to prevent fragments of the disc from escaping from the front side of the drive.
 5. The drive of claim 4, wherein the fragment barricade is mounted within a drive enclosure, the elongate member being rectangular and operatively positioned between the disc and the front side.
 6. The drive of claim 4, wherein the fragment barricade is fixedly mounted within a drive enclosure.
 7. The drive of claim 6, comprising an assembly movable between a first position in which the disc is received by the assembly via the opening, and a second position in which the elongate member is positioned between the disc and the front side.
 8. The drive of claim 4, comprising a top enclosure and the fragment barricade is mounted to the top enclosure.
 9. The drive of claim 4, wherein the fragment barricade is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a hard material, and a flexible material.
 10. The drive of claim 4, wherein the elongate member is a rectangular planar member operatively positioned along the front side of the drive.
 11. The drive of claim 4, wherein the drive is an optical drive.
 12. The drive of claim 1, wherein the opening is substantially elongate in outline.
 13. The drive of claim 4, comprising an enclosure including: spaced parallel sides; and a top and a bottom, the top and the bottom being spaced and parallel and wherein the fragment barricade includes attachment elements for attaching the fragment barricade to one of the top and the bottom or at least one of the spaced parallel sides.
 14. An enclosure comprising: an optical disc drive at least to read an optical disc; a substantially planar and rectangular front side including an opening through which the optical disc is displaceable; and a fragment barricade mounted within the disk drive and including an elongate member positionable proximate the front side so as to prevent fragments of the optical disc from escaping from the front side of the optical drive.
 15. The enclosure of claim 14, comprising a PC board mounted within the enclosure.
 16. The enclosure of claim 15, wherein the PC board sits within a bottom of the enclosure.
 17. A method of preventing fragments of a disc from escaping from a drive, the method comprising: providing a drive including a substantially planar and rectangular front side including an opening through which the disc is displaceable; providing a fragment barricade mounted within the disk drive and including an elongate member; and positioning the elongate member proximate the front side so as to prevent fragments of the disc from escaping from the front side of the drive.
 18. The method of claim 17, which comprises moving an assembly between a first position in which the disc is received by the assembly via the opening, and a second position in which the elongate member is positioned between the disc and the front side.
 19. A disc drive at least to read a disc, the drive comprising: means for providing a substantially planar and rectangular front side including an opening through which the disc is displaceable; means for providing a fragment barricade mounted within the disk drive and including an elongate member; and means for positioning the elongate member proximate the front side so as to prevent fragments of the disc from escaping from the front side of the drive. 